[F&ES 714b/ENAS 646b]

Environmental Hydrology

2013-2014Credits: 3
Spring 2014:Not Offered

Environmental Hydrology (F&ES714b) explores the roles of natural processes and anthropogenic activities in regulating the quantity, distribution, and chemical composition of the Earth’s freshwater. Students of F&ES714b gain exposure to theoretical and applied elements of surface and subsurface hydrology. The theory covered in the course focuses on hydrologic phenomena of societal and environmental importance, including stream-flow generation, wetland-water cycling, groundwater-flow dynamics, contaminant migration in surface water and groundwater, and water-use and re-distribution by plants. Application of theory is accomplished through student use of hydrologic simulation models, which are expressions of theory and essential tools of water-resource management and assessment.

Environmental Hydrology is intended as a first-course in scientific hydrology. It is appropriate for MEM, MESc, and PhD students, as well as for advanced undergraduates. Because hydrology is a quantitative science, treatment of the course subject matter does involve mathematics. Students must be comfortable with arithmetic and algebra and have completed at least one semester of college-level calculus. Although students will use hydrologic simulation models as a part of the course, F&ES714b does not involve any computer programming and requires no special computer skills.